Will the band work?

My surgery took about 45 minutes.  I felt like dog crap for about 4 days and then it has been a piece of cake since.  I promise you, you will not miss that 85% of your stomach that they cut out and throw away!  What good does it do for you anyway??  It only causes you to be hungry all the time and allows you to overeat on a regular basis.  I am one of the ones who still has hunger but it is nothing like before surgery and I don't have the insatiable cravings that I always had before.  I know I am biased because I have done so well but THE SLEEVE IS FREAKIN' AWESOME!!!

Boscogirl, Thank you so much! 
   How long did you stay in the hospital? Did you have any problems afterwards?

You are welcome!  I stayed in the hospital for one night and then two more nights in a recovery house.  I had my surgery in Mexico and they do things quite differently than in the states but I would imagine most people stay atleast two to three nights in a hospital.  I didn't have any problems (the worst part was the leak test...it was awful and I threw up afterwards!) at all and I was back at work and feeling pretty normal at one week out.

Hi, I had two lapband surgeries and recently revised to a bypass. I had major problems with both bands even though I followed all of the rules. There are people who have had success so I don't want you to think I'm saying it doesn't work, it just didn't work for me. I also know two sisters who had the band who both had to have them removed and revised to a bypass.

I originally chose the band for the same reasons you listed. I was okay with a slower weightloss and I was really nervous about having my insides re-routed. In three years with the band, I lost a total of 30 something pounds. That was with eating right and exercising. In the two months since my revision I have already lost close to that amount.

Continue with your research and find the surgery that makes the most sense for you. They all have benefits along with risks so just keep that in mind! I do wish you the very best with whatever you chose to do!!!

Jenn

You all have been so wonderful! What a blessing to have you all respond to me. Nothing negative. Everything has been honest and to the point. I feel so much encouragement...

Thank you all so very much!

 Hey April,

I was recently banded (on 12/27/10) and so far love my band! When doing all of my research, like you, I thought RNY was simply too invasive. However, in my opinion, so is VSG. I am 23 years old, and the one thing I kept thinking was - god forbid I get stomach cancer in the future and they have to remove part of my stomach, what will be left?!? I don't know if this is a realistic concern, but it was the one thing going through my mind. 

My surgeon said that in studies with people with lower BMIs, the weight loss results between the band and sleeve are comparable. He said that my age and low(er) weight were on my side and I would likely be successful with either procedure.

Another huge factor was my family. Both my mom and brother have had the band with HUGE success. They are 5 and 2 years post-op respectively, and neither have had a slip, erosion, reflux, etc. I know this may be the exception to the rule, but I do think that if you follow the rules, like they did, these issues will not happen. A large portion of those with slips bring it on themselves, because they tried to eat around the band. If you were going to do this, why have surgery in the first place??

I have no issue with the frequency of fills. I prefer to be an active participant in my weight loss, and for a fill or not, I like to check in with my doctor every once in a while. This just gives me a good excuse. Also, I'm a control freak - so the fills help me feel in control =P

Best of luck with whatever you choose. Check out the band board - the women (and men) are very friendly and most of all, HONEST about their experiences.

Alyssa

All forms of WLS will work to varying extents on different people and they all have thier problems. People can say yes or no the band will work, but truely nobody but you know the answer to that. It can work, and it is harder to lose that much wieght with it, but you can do it if you have it in you to follow the rules and overcome the band's shortcommings (they all have some sort of shortcommings). It does have it's dangers too, so I wouldn't pick it just because you think it is safer. But as long as you do your research and some soul searching and make an educated decision, you should be fine. I will say that since you do have depression, it is going to be harder for you to lose the wieght with a band than if you didn't have the depression, especially because you have so much you want to lose. I have depression and I couldn't have maintained the frame of mind I needed for the slow wieght loss, and restrictive only wasn't enough to keep me from cheating when I was depressed. So what I'm saying is it will be very very hard, but you can do it. Support groups will really help you be more successful too.  Good luck with it.